I've slated Sheps since he came in to the first team a few seasons back but he has impressed me this season coming off the bench. His goal scoring record in the 20's is outstanding so I would be tempted to give him a run of games through the middle with Lee Miller. Bairdy or Shug aren't scoring goals so what difference will it make? It could be his time to be the next graduate from the youth system to play on a consistent basis.

Playing hippolyte in front of Leahy completely nullifies the threat of Leahy going forward. Playing Taiwo in front of Muirhead means there is nothing attacking coming down the right. Sibbald and Leahy are our best 'partnership' forming an understanding between the two. Maybe we should try Hippo on the right, Sibbald on the left? Or even Gallagher at LB, Leahy in front of him?

oot_the_loop wrote:Playing hippolyte in front of Leahy completely nullifies the threat of Leahy going forward. Playing Taiwo in front of Muirhead means there is nothing attacking coming down the right. Sibbald and Leahy are our best 'partnership' forming an understanding between the two. Maybe we should try Hippo on the right, Sibbald on the left? Or even Gallagher at LB, Leahy in front of him?

I agree with this about Leahy and Sibbald.

Not sure about Hypo right. I would like to see him either at the top of a midfield diamond or off a striker.

Unfortunately the only way we get any new signings is by being well beaten in the next 2 games.
Cannot risk destroying Christmas and New Year in the hope that Houston makes a decent and exciting signing for once in his life.

I'm a bad man who doesn't waste time wondering what could've been when I am what could've been and what could not have been. I live on both sides of the fence. My grass is always green.

I saw the Loy thing earlier. I'd take him back in a heartbeat. Highly unlikely though. I'd happily ship out mchugh who has been a one season wonder or baird. To get him in. Even until the end of the season. Ohara ad Austin etc are all coming through but we need a goal threat now and our strikers aren't cutting it at the moment

Doesn't Loy play from the left? I know he can play up front, but naturally drifts to the left. we need a right sided player first and foremost.
He is friends with Lee Miller so who knows. Seems an easy signing for Houston and short name to write on the team sheet so ticks a lot of boxes.

I'm a bad man who doesn't waste time wondering what could've been when I am what could've been and what could not have been. I live on both sides of the fence. My grass is always green.

Loy would a ideal pick me up if he supplied the goals he is probably on the lower end of the wage scale at Dundee 1170 a week I cannot see him earning the top end. If the Directors break the cap on our wages it could work. There are ways round this if they want him.

The left side of the team can be pretty good when they get it together, but the rest with the exception of Miller is really poor. Its like they start every game "jaded" or lacklustre. The passing and close control during games has also been really shockingly bad, and if we cant get the simple stuff like that right then really we will only get what we deserve. i don't mind Taiwo as a central midfielder, but played wide right just isn't his position. Houstons options (of his own making) are limited on that side though - Muirhead, Craigen and Kidd just haven't shown enough in games to be considered as anything other than "below average". Also we really don't have any options ready in the development squad on the right side either (well not worth considering in a derby game anyway). This just shows up Houstons very poor signings to date. I know that Shepherd was being touted as a wide right player, but he's no midfielder and needs to "muscle up" some if he wants to be successful in this league or higher - and he is an out and out striker, so can we afford to play him as a winger ? No.

Its going to be a disappointing boxing day unless the players can somehow pull a decent performance out the bag. Maybe the "derby" atmosphere will help......or maybe it won't.

I won't hear any more of this Sibbalds best position is in the centre. We have been leaking goals for fun with him there and Leahy is not the same player with Hyppolyte in front of him. Get him onto the left again.

Get Taiwo in beside Kerr for now and Hypolytte off a striker, McHugh for me as Baird has been garbage and If Miller is there we just shell it.

Right of midfield I think I would go with Kidd only because every other option tried has failed.

If Houston needs to clear out before he brings in then the following can go for me

Back Post Misses wrote:I won't hear any more of this Sibbalds best position is in the centre. We have been leaking goals for fun with him there and Leahy is not the same player with Hyppolyte in front of him. Get him onto the left again.

Get Taiwo in beside Kerr for now and Hypolytte off a striker, McHugh for me as Baird has been garbage and If Miller is there we just shell it.

Right of midfield I think I would go with Kidd only because every other option tried has failed.

If Houston needs to clear out before he brings in then the following can go for me

Craigen
Rankin
Watson

I think you might be right ref Sibbs and Hippo, but I doubt Houston will try that against the fifers. The other option is to play Hippo on the right and Sibbs on the left, but to be honest it makes little difference as collectively the team lacks cohesion all over the park. The performances in the last 3 or 4 games have been atrocious.